1 I'm an Eighty-Six

The moon rose into the night sky, illuminating the barren, war-riddled landscape below. The bleak environment was filled with the cacophony of mechanical rumbling instead of nature's soundtrack.

Traversing the shadowed landscape were sixteen metal behemoths, each one ten meters long and two meters tall. Like common insects, they possessed four legs, two on each side. Their bodies resembled headless scorpions, with only a single red dot acting as an eye. These unnatural creatures crept through a luscious green plain, stomping footprints into the soft dirt, leaving marks in the grass that served as the only evidence of their existence. The whirring of engines, the clanking of axis joints, and the repetitive marching of Juggernauts were heard by the Colorata pilots.

As if penetrating this monotony, the chime of a radio transmission was heard.

[Handler One to Black Locust, synchronization complete. Sending traffic. The enemy units are visible on the radar, five clicks ahead at the northern points. We have identified the unknown unit - it is nestled in the city's center, with five platoons of Legion infantry guarding it. Prepare to engage.]

The faint voice of a young man was audible and coincidentally came when a decrepit city emerged in the distance.

"Black Locust to Handler One, synchronization complete. We are nearing the city's outskirts. Commencing the force concentration."

[I will provide details on the Legion's movements. Focus on eliminating that unidentified unit. I am giving Black Locust secondary command over Carpe Noctem and Storm Cloud squadron.]

"Roger."

"This is Abyssal Dragon of Storm Cloud squadron. I am activating the smokescreen. Preparing evasive maneuvers. Sixty seconds till enemy contact. They're in my sights."

Multiple affirmations were heard from the two squadrons. The landscape morphed from natural Earth to hard concrete roads. Soon after, the incessant, deafening volley of machine gunfire erupted with flashes of light that illuminated the streets. Gallantly charging into the fray was a single Juggernaut; attached to their legs and hull were well-placed smoke bombs that shot grey clouds.

"Smokescreen is a success. Move in."

"Carpe Noctem, this is Black Locust. Penetrate the center. Storm Cloud squadron, provide suppressive fire."

"Roger."

The dust and smoke clouds enveloped Black Locust's vision momentarily, but he emerged from the cover and saw the swarms of Ameise Legion. Before the enemy could shoot, bombardments rained from the sky and ripped the drones apart, causing flames and explosions to fly outwardly. Debris and shrapnel flew through the air and rained down onto the Juggernauts, ricocheting off their hulls. The smell of burning steel wafted into Black Locust's cockpit, and he inhaled deeply.

Juggernauts emerged from the smoke clouds, firing their machine guns, and decimating the Legions' platoons. A gap was created in their ranks and the Eighty-Six sped through. This was a rare opportunity.

"Carpe Noctem! We'll cover you!"

The Legions on Carpe Noctem Squadrons' back was being eradicated, preventing further retaliation.

"This is Abyssal Dragon to all units; the platoons are splitting up, I repeat; they're splitting up."

[This is Handler One to Carpe Noctem squadron, you have two platoons of Legion on your six. Use the fallen city as cover.]

"Roger."

They obeyed the order, and Carpe Noctem squadron sped through the alleyways and streets of the decimated urban sprawl. They evaded the Legion's attacks as they weaved through highways and underpasses. As they did, Black Locust's eyes would flick toward his monitor and the display information.

[Dark Swan]

[White Swan]

[Thumper]

[Mad Hatter]

[Orb Weaver]

Besides himself, these were the members of Carpe Noctem, the specialized unit which always fought the Legion in the throes of night.

Dark Swan specialized in recon and stealth operations. White Swan was the best sniper and long-range combatant. Thumper's specialty was his erratic movement and leaping skills, which is why he was named after the little bunny.

Mad Hatter's fighting style was an unorthodox style of close combat, paired with her obsessive nature of getting "headshots" on Legion. It matched her crazy personality. Orb Weaver was named after his inventive strategy that used the Juggernaut's grappling hooks in combat. Together, they fought tooth and nail against Legion and survived every operation thrown their way. They endured one incompetent handler after the other until they finally received an Alba that cared.

[Don't enter that alleyway on your right!]

[Three Lowes have been sighted on the highway on your twelve!]

[Thumper, on your six!]

The Handler, who oversaw their operations, was a rare breed. Instead of treating the Eighty-Six like pigs, he showed human respect. He took his duties seriously and provided Carpe Noctem with as much aid as possible. It was one reason why they survived so long. Sadly, all of his empathy and assistance wouldn't save them every time.

[Orb Weaver! Get out of that alley! Ahead of you!!]

They heard the cries of their Handler and-

"SHIT!"

-!!Tatatatatatat!!-

"They got me! They're on my Juggernaut!!"

"Mad Hatter to Orb Weaver, I'm coming for you!!"

"Tch. I ain't dying alone."

Over the radio, all the pilots heard the propulsion of grappling hooks grasping onto metal.

"Toby!! NO!!"

"I got them in my web now."

-!KRAKABOOM!-

Shortly after, the explosive bombing of a Juggernaut was heard, followed by their Handler's voice.

[All units, Legion has hidden self-propelled mines throughout the city! I repeat they've hidden self-propelled mines in the city!]

"Fuck!"

The self-propelled mines. It was a simple name that didn't tell the explicit truth. In summary, they were automated, walking androids whose sole purpose was to cling onto targets and explode. Their design must've been made by a sick bastard, for they were given faces with one singular, azure eye and a wide, crescent smile that formed a rictus grin.

"Black Locust to all units. Orb Weaver KIA. Proceed with operation."

This was the curse of the Eighty-Six. To realize one of their brethren perished and to keep on moving regardless.

(How did it happen?) Black Locust thought.

He could imagine it. From what he heard, Black Locust could envision Orb Weaver speeding through an alleyway, encountering Ameise at the end, and being swarmed by the self-propelled mines as they were trapped. He could see Toby speed towards the Ameise in one desperate attack, hoping to kill as many before the inevitable. It sent chills down his spine.

[Handler One to Black Locust. The unidentified unit is 50 meters ahead.]

"It's right on top of us. I see it."

The Legion they saw was nestled in the foliage of trees. It stood on a sizable hill at an elevation of 15 meters, overlooking the decrepit city below. As the Eighty-Six approached, they heard their Handler speak into their ears.

[Thank you for your service.]

(Here it comes.)

The typical speech from every Handler. They would say the same patriotic, propagandist bullshit, such as, "Show gratitude to your homeland with your flesh and blood and defend the Republic with your very life." Then they would add the cherry on top and say, "Glory to the Republic."

Black Locust expected to hear it. He was surprised by what he heard next, though.

[As an Alba citizen and Republic officer of the 85 districts, I am eternally grateful for your dedication and service.]

-!!!Whiiiirrrrr!!!-

"Dark Swan to Thumper, are you seeing this shit?!"

"It's huge."

[I thank you for your dedication, for the flesh, and blood you spilled to defend the Republic.]

"It's aiming its cannon right at us!!!"

"Evade!!"

"FIRE"

The massive Legion whirred to life and swung its turret in their direction. Before it fired, Black Locust heard his Handler. These words were probably the last ones Black Locust would listen to.

[Glory to all the Eighty-Six of the Republic.]

-!!!KRAKABOOM!!!-

Then the world erupted in a flash of white and promptly faded to a maddening black.

***

[Black Locust!! Black Locust, do you copy!?!]

Static. White noise. The sounds of falling clumps of dirt and concrete. Black Locust couldn't hear a thing due to his blown-out eardrums. He could feel it, though. He felt the creeping flames and the rumbling approach of that massive Legion.

(I-I c-can't see. It hurts.)

His Juggernaut was upside down, thrown in the explosion. He barely evaded the singular bombardment.

[Black Locust!! Respond!!]

-!!Whhiiiiirrrr!!-

-!!Clank!!-

Black Locust heard the mechanical wheezing of an arm and the clanking of his grabbed Juggernaut.

(Orb Weaver?)

Was it his comrade grabbing his mech, trying to right it?

(N-no.)

Orb Weaver was dead. Through the haze and confusion, Black Locust remembered. As time passed, his hearing returned, and he heard his comrades through the Para-Raid.

"Amelia!! Scale the building!! No!!"

He heard the cries of Dark Swan.

"I'm covering you!! Get out of here!!"

The orders of Thumper.

"NO! Don't!!"

And the shocked screams of White Swan, shortly followed by an explosion.

His cracked monitor flickered and updated as the battle progressed.

He heard the anguished cries of Black Swan.

The raging screams of Mad Hatter.

And he heard the stumbling clanks of White Swan's Juggernaut over the commlink.

Black Locust was the only one that remained. He prayed and wished for a miracle. He wanted his Juggernaut's display to lie to him. If it was false, it meant his friends were still alive. He yearned for that. Within his heart, he begged for the HUD to show misinformation. Maybe it was only the Juggernauts that were destroyed. Maybe his comrades were fleeing through the city on foot.

[Black Locust!! Do you copy!?!]

Black Locust could finally hear his Handler's cries.

-!!Criiinnkkkk!!-

His body was thrown around as his Juggernaut was placed right side up. Soon after, he heard the rending of his cockpit's lid. As it opened, fresh night air tinged with gunpowder wafted in, giving the young pilot a chance to breathe the pure atmosphere.

[Black Locust!!]

The moon shone brightly behind the gleaming Legion. Black Locust could fully see it and watched in awe. It was massive; the unidentified unit was several times larger than any Juggernaut the feeble Republic could make. It stood several meters tall and possessed an octopedal walking system akin to an actual arachnid. It was a technological behemoth on par with the size of an ancient dinosaur. Like a ghostly spirit, it's metal armor was a faint blue which reflected the moonlight. Every single step it took caused the ground to tremble and shake. Black Locust's teeth vibrated within his clenched mouth.

(Breathe...)

This was probably his last chance to inhale and feel the untainted breeze. Tears ran down Black Locust's face and his eyes refocused. Instead of staring at his impending death, he gazed at the cratered moon which gently traversed the night's expanse.

In his periphery, he saw the Legion raise one of its mechanical arms into the air.

(I-is it gonna c-crush me?)

[Noah!! Please!! Answer me!!]

Black Locust sat in disbelief.

"Heh. C-can't believe it... Handler One. Y-you actually called my name."

"Carpe Noctem, this is Storm Cloud; we're moving in! Take cover!!"

[All units, fire on that Legion!! Aim for its incendiary cannon!!]

After hearing Handler One's command, Noah saw the Legion being peppered with Hesh rounds, and slowly creeping away.

[Noah!! Hang in there!!]

Noah felt the world fade away into darkness. He felt his mind numbing from pain, and his senses were dulled from the explosions and flashes of fiery light. His eyelids were forcibly closing, and words spilled out from his mouth. They were probably his last.

"I'm-"

Noah fell unconscious.

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